The 2015-16 legislative session came to a close, and many bills folded under the deadline pressure. First up: SB 1190, attempting to ban behind-the-scenes communicating within the California Coastal Commission.
Dan Weikel with L.A. Times reports: "A bill to ban behind-the-scenes communications at the California Coastal Commission went down to defeat in the Assembly on Wednesday night after facing strong opposition from labor, business groups and development interests."
"The bill sought to prohibit so-called ex parte contacts that occur outside official public meetings between coastal commissioners and developers, lobbyists, environmentalists and other parties with a stake in commission business."
"Those contacts can involve telephone calls, face-to-face meetings, e-mails or other written material. Commissioners must publicly disclose such interactions within a week of their occurrence, either in writing or orally at a public hearing."
SEE MORE in Bills: Internet poker bill dies amid bickering between competing gambling interests -- Patrick McGreevy with L.A. Times; Public Utilities Commission reform bill collapses in session's final hours -- Jeremy B. White in Sac Bee; Bill to advance California's high-speed rail project is sent to Gov. Brown - Sophia Bollag with L.A. Times; Planned Parenthood bill on secret videos advances after compromise -- Alexei Koseff with Sacramento Bee; Legislature Oks background checks for Lyft, Uber -- Melody Gutierrez with SFC; Two years and thousands of bills later, here are the California Legislature's wins and losses -- John Myers in L.A. Times; State lawmakers OK parental leave for small business workers -- Melody Gutierrez with The Chronicle
The days leading up to the conclusion of the legislative session marks one of the most chaotic times in the Capitol's working year, but Proposition 54 wants to facilitate a change to the mayhem.
John Myers in L.A. Times writes: "At several points Wednesday night, with only hours before the end of the legislative session, proposed laws were being quickly rewritten and placed in front of weary lawmakers for a fast vote."
A federal appeals court has upheld the decision that medical marijuana patients may not purchase guns, backing the gov't assertion that drug users have a proclivity towards violence.
The Chronicle's Bob Egelko: "Gun purchases are off limits in the U.S. to anyone who uses medical marijuana or holds a state-approved medicinal marijuana card, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, accepting the government’s view that illegal-drug users are prone to violence."
READ MORE related to Cannabis: New processing standards for medical marijuana would be set under bill sent to governor -- Patrick McGreevy with L.A. Times
Gov. Brown has signed a bill that forces California residents to adhere to water conservation rules as the state battles one of the worst droughts on record.
Roann Pao with Daily Californian: "Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law Monday to ensure that California households restrict excessive water use during one of the most severe droughts recorded in the last century."
"SB 814, first introduced by Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, in January 2016,enables water suppliers to prohibit unreasonable water use by either establishing a rate surcharge or ordinance on excessive water use during times of declared statewide drought emergency."
"While climate conditions have slightly improved from El Niño, California is experiencing increases in temperature that cause more surface water to evaporate and place pressure on water usage, according to John Chiang, a UC Berkeley professor in the department of geography."
A massive $900 million fund dedicated to environmental programs has been approved by lawmakers.
A.P.'s Jonathon J. Cooper: "California lawmakers approved a $900 million spending package devoted to environmental programs Wednesday, hours after Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders agreed to spend nearly two-thirds of the available money generated by the state's cap on carbon pollution."
"The deal, reached as lawmakers pressed to finish the two-year legislative session, includes $363 million for clean vehicle incentives and hundreds of millions for urban plants and efforts to create cleaner air in disadvantaged communities. It also includes $50 million to reduce emissions of methane and other climate-changing gases associated with landfills and dairy production."
"The agreement is the product of negotiations between Brown, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of Paramount, all Democrats."
The Brock Turner case has sparked a slew of legislation strengthening punishment for certain crimes, including mandatory prison time.
Daily Californian's Adam Isco writes: " California lawmakers passed a bill Monday that would mandate prison sentences for individuals convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious victim, seeking to close a legal loophole that lawmakers say allows convicted felons such as Brock Turner to receive more lenient sentencing."
"The bill, AB 2888, passed unanimously in the state Assembly and now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature."
"Rape is Rape, and rapists like Brock Turner shouldn’t be let off with a slap on the wrist,” said bill co-sponsor Assemblymember Evan Low, D-Silicon Valley, in a press release Monday."
